Severt Erick Tesdell (1842-1920)

TESDELL, LEE, SYDNES, CASTLE, CASSEL

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 10/25/2023 at 21:46:18

From The Slater News December 20, 1920 (page 1)

DEATH OF SEVERT TESDELL

He Passed Away On Thursday Morning, December 23rd, At An Age of 78 Years.

Mr. Severt Tesdell passed away last Thursday morning at his home in Slater. Poorly for some time, he recently contracted a cold which developed a case of bronchial pneumonia and to it and old age must be attributed his death. Funeral took place on Monday afternoon from his late home and the Bethlehem church, of which he was a member. The services were in charge of his pastor, Rev. Duea, assisted by Rev. Bjorlie of Faribault, Minnesota. The former gave an address in the Norwegian language; the latter in the English. The choir rendered a special selection, Mrs. Miller Heggen a solo, "Face To Face," and the Misses Minerva Ersland and Ella Maland a duet, "Nearer My God To Thee." Burial was made in the Slater cemetery. There was a large attendance at the funeral.

Severt Erick Tesdell was born at Etne, Norway April 2, 1842. He came to America with his parents in 1855 and settled in Lincoln township, Polk county. Shortly after the civil war broke out he enlisted in Company A of the 23d Iowa infantry, in which he served through the war. Returning, he took up his duties as a farmer once more. A few years later, in 1876, he was united in marriage to Miss Ingeborg Lee, who survives him. To this union were born nine children, seven of whom are now living. They are daughters, Mrs. Cyrus Sydnes and Mrs. William Castle of near Slater, and five sons, Ed. of Des Moines and Carl, Ben, Sanford and Leonard of this place. Many other relatives survive him as do also a host of friends.

Deceased was one of the many stalwart sons that Norway has contributed to the building up of Iowa. industries and energetic, from the very first his efforts were crowned with success. Though the war took several of the years of his prime, he came out of the conflict with a new zeal and a greater determination and started life in earnest. His labors were crowned with success and he was for years one of the leading farmers of his vicinity. After takin up his residence in Slater he took life easier and lived to enjoy the fruits of his labors. In politics he was a staunch republican and had hoped to be able to vote for Harding at the late election, but ill health prevented him He was a member of the Bethlehem church and was a faithful attendant at all services as long as health and strength permitted him.